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Wisconsin Camper's Association

50 Years of Promoting Family Camping!

Shirley Hartl
Charter Member of the
Former Beaver Dam Chapter

About WCA

The first Beaver Dam meeting was held on may 28, 1962, Shirley recalls that 14 families attended the meeting and by June, membership increased to 18. Dues were a mere 25 cents per family.

Shirley, husband Ray and sons, Robert and Larry, camped quite often. Friends and cousins of the boys were always welcome. Shirley says she'd take anyone camping that she could round up. In fact, the more the merrier was the norm. Usually, the North Milwaukee Nomads, Madison Blue Blazers and the Beaver Dam chapters would camp together. Shirley adds, that is was normal to have 70 families camping together!

Shirley, Ray, Neil Butchart and others spent hours in her basement stuffing envelopes for promotional mailings. Their hard work paid off, as in may 1965 WCA had a record membership of 1,300 families. Shirley would also help her sister, Ellie Allen and Carl Creadwell work on The Camper's Embers. At that time printing was much different than it is now, and it was quite a challenge for the volunteers to prepare and print over a thousand copies of The Camper's Embers.

The Beaver Dam Chapter hosted the first Mid-Winter Ball, which was held at the Armory in Beaver Dam. The menu, free beer, hot beef sandwiches, and cake. The registration fee - $1.50 per person! The fee also included door prizes valued at $100. Shirley also recalls a later time when Dale Coyier asked, What the group could do to liven things us at future Mid-Winter Balls? The group didn't let Dale down! Instead of an evening affair, the Mid-Winter Ball now included afternoon activities, the famous Casino Night, and an overnight stay!

Shirley also served as WCA membership secretary at the same time that her friend Virginia Wikel was Treasurer. They work together in this capacity for about 12 years and had a blast! Shirley has many wonderful memories of her years in WCA and is willing to share these stories.

Shirley is now a member of the Hartford Y-Knots, along with her nephew Dan Allen and his family. Dan recalls that each summer from the time he and his cousins turned five years old until they were 15, Shirley took them on vacation. They traveled throughout the western states, but also stopped in Golden, Colorado to visit relatives. Dan remembers calling his Mom from out West. In those days the telephone connections weren't so good and I had to shout to be heard about the crackling in the lines. Thanks to Aunt Shirley, I have been to every state west of Wisconsin and Canada.

The above photo was taken at the August 2002 Campvention, when Shirley received her 40-year WCA membership certificate. Shirley still enjoys camping and attends an occasional Campvention and WCA function. If you see Shirley at an outing, please stop and say hello!

This story was first presented in the March/April issue of The Camper's Embers, WCA's official bi-monthly publication.